Gay Paris Monuments and History

Dalida was an Italian singer who made her home in France, becoming the great pop stars of her time.

She began her career in the 1950s singing French chanson and Italian pop. Her songs became more melodramatic as the years went by. By the time the disco era arrived, she was the ultimate gay icon in French pop. Her ability to combine tragic ballads (Je Suis Malade) with wildly theatrical pop (Comme disait Mistinguett) remains unrivalled. She can make you feel her loneliness one minute, only to throw a feather boa on the next and mince across the stage to pulsing disco beats with a chorus line of visibly gay men.

LGBT+ travelers should pay a visit to the Dalida monument when visiting Gay Paris.

Where is the Dalida statue?

The Dalida statue in Paris is located in the Montmartre neighborhood, specifically in Place Dalida. The statue captures her likeness and serves as a popular spot for fans and tourists. Some say it brings good luck if you touch the statue's ample bust: no word of a lie!

How to get there:

• By Metro: Take Line 12 to the Abbesses station or Line 2 to the Anvers station, then it's a short walk up the hill to Montmartre.

• By Bus: You can also take bus lines 80 or 95 to the Lamarck - Caulaincourt stop, which is nearby.

Once you're in Montmartre, enjoy a scenic walk through the historic area, and you'll find the statue near other attractions like the Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

After being prosecuted for gross indecency in 1895, Oscar Wilde spent his final years in Paris. His reputation destroyed, he died penniless in a shabby hotel. His last words, probably apocryphal, were “Either the drapes or I must go.”

In 1914, Sir Jacob Epstein unveiled his memorial to Wilde at his grave in Père Lachaise. Wilde had emerged as the first great campaigner for gay rights, and he had been ruined for his efforts.

The Tombe de Oscar Wilde should be on your bucket list if you’re in Paris. It’s one of the most important LGBT+ landmarks in Paris and, frankly, the world.

How to Get There:

• By Metro: Take Line 2 to the Philippe Auguste station or Line 3 to the Père Lachaise station. Both stations are within a short walking distance from the cemetery.

• By Bus: Bus lines 61 and 69 stop near the cemetery.

Once inside, Wilde's tomb is located in Division 89, marked by a striking modernist sculpture by Jacob Epstein. Visitors often leave lipstick marks on the tomb, despite efforts to protect it, as a tribute to Wilde's life and work.

OK, he was born in Spain but he may as well have been French. The greatest artist - some may disagree! - of the twentieth century lived in Paris and is now inextricably linked with the city. Art fans should visit the Musée Picasso is Le Marais, Paris' gay district. Once you've had your Picasso culture fix you can walk straight to the gay bars and check out the hotties.

The Centre Pompidou, located in the Beaubourg area of Paris, is a revolutionary cultural complex known for its high-tech architecture, with exposed pipes and post-modern features. Opened in 1977, it houses one of the most significant collections of modern and contemporary art in Europe, featuring works by Picasso, Matisse, and Kandinsky, among others. The center also includes a vast public library, a cinema, and spaces for live performances. Its rooftop offers stunning views of Paris.

Located right in the heart of the city, it's a good landmark from which to explore what Paris has to offer. Whatever direction you walk in from the Centre Pompidou will lead you to interesting places. You can easily walk to the gay district from here. You can also walk to Notre Dame in 15 minutes.

Notre-Dame Cathedral is an iconic of Paris. Completed in the 14th century, it has been the site of numerous historical events, including the coronation of Napoleon and the beatification of Joan of Arc. Despite being severely damaged by fire in 2019, Notre-Dame remains a must-visit for its cultural and spiritual significance. Restoration efforts are ongoing.

Notre-Dame is worth visiting for purely geographical reasons. It's located in one of the most beautiful parts of the city. Take a stroll down the Seine when you're done.

Shakespeare and Company is a legendary English-language bookshop in Paris, located near the Seine and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Founded in 1951 by George Whitman, the shop became a haven for writers, artists, and literary enthusiasts, following in the footsteps of the original store opened by Sylvia Beach in 1919.

This is one of the world's greatest bookshops so it's a must for literate gays. It's charming location near the Seine is an added bonus. The setting is very Instagrammable.